de dood en het meisje (16)

He said, “Dance for me,” and he said,
“You are too beautiful for the wind
To pick at, or the sun to burn.” He said,
“I’m a poor tattered thing, but not unkind
To the sad dancer or the dancing dead.”
So I smiled and a slow measure
Mastered my feet and I was happy then.
He said, “My people are as gentle as lilies
And in my house there are no men
To wring your young heart with a foolish pleasure.”
Because my boy had crossed me in a strange bed
I danced for him and was not afraid.
He said, “You are too beautiful for any man
To finger; you shall stay a maid
For ever in my kingdom and be comforted.”
He said, “You shall be my daughter and your feet move
In finer dances, maiden; and the hollow
Halls of my house shall flourish with your singing.”
He beckoned and I knew that I must follow
Into the kingdom of no love.

—  Sidney Keyes